Volcanoes national park is located in northwest Rwanda along the country’s border with Uganda and DR Congo, where the Virunga Mountains converge. The protected area covers 160 sq. km which includes five of the 8 Virunga volcanoes including Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura.
Virunga area is home to 604 mountain gorilla population of which one third of the gorillas live in Volcanoes national park and 10 gorilla families have been habituated for gorilla safaris. The gorilla briefing center at Kinigi is 105 km (2-hour drive) north of Kigali capital city and 10 km from Ruhengeri town, making for Africa’s most convenient destination for gorilla trekking safaris.
The gorilla permit cost is $1,500 per person and the high cost is justified by a dynamic high-end low impact tourism strategy that Rwanda has developed to regulate visitor numbers, minimize negative impacts of tourism and promote sustainable tourism. The number of gorilla trekking visitors is limited to six per group and those visiting in September can attend Kwita Izina annual gorilla naming ceremony for a unique opportunity to witness Rwanda’s commitment to conservation. I
n addition to gorilla trekking, the park offers a wide range Eco tourism activities including golden monkey trekking to observe the playful primates in the bamboo, hike Mount Karisimbi for a 2-day hike or Mount Bisoke to the spectacular crater-filled lake on top. Visitors can also visit the grave site of Dian Fossey, who established Karisoke research center in 1967. Fossey’s legacy is honored at the Ellen Degeneres Campus, a world-class research and education center established in 2022.
Vegetation in Volcanoes national park
With an altitude range between 1,800 to 4,507 meters above sea level, Volcanoes national park contains four vegetation types which include montane tropical forests, bamboo, Hagenia hypericum, and Sub-alpine zone. Lower montane forest is found at 1,800 meters and contains evergreen tree species such as Neoboutonia macrocalyx, a tree that grows up to 25 m with a short trunk and spreading crown.
Among other unique perennial plants include Urtica massaica, a stinging nettle plant that gorillas sometimes feed on. African Alpine bamboo lies between 2,500–3,200 and forms 30% of the park and is the primary habitat for golden monkeys. Gorillas also use it as a feeding ground to feed on bamboo shoots especially during wet season from April to May and October to November. This type of bamboo can grow up to 20 meters tall in extensive pure stands.
Hagenia-Hypericum zone 3,000–3,300m is dominated by tall Hagenia trees and Hypericum shrubs including Plagiochila Colorans, Antitricha kilimandscharica, and Plicanthus giganteus that form a green carpet of moss covering trees. This type of vegetation occurs on the higher slopes of Mount Bisoke in the Afroalpine zone and contains plant species such as Lobelia stuhlmanni, Dendrosenecio erici-rosenii, Huperzia saururus.
The crater filled lake on top of Bisoke Volcano contains sedge grass species such as Carex runssorensis and Sphagnum spp. and Breutelia spp in the crater swamp at summit of Mount Gahinga. The summit of Mount Karisimbi which is the highest mountain in Rwanda contains species of moss including Campylopus nivalis and Andreaea mildbraedii. The variety of vegetation in Volcanoes national park provides habitat for rich biodiversity including 178 bird species of birds, over 200 mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Among other wildlife species include forest buffaloes.
What to do and see in Volcanoes national park
Mountain gorillas
Rwanda gorilla safaris are based on 10 habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes national including Susa the largest group with 33 members, Amahoro group known for being peaceful and gentle, with 20 members, Sabinyo group, one of the easiest to access. Each gorilla group is visited by 8 people and there are 96 gorilla permits available per day for booking through a tour operator or Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
Treks begin at Kinigi park headquarters, where visitors gather at 7am to receive a briefing from rangers about the gorilla rules. Each group of visitors is assigned a gorilla group based on fitness levels of individuals. The trailheads for different gorilla groups are located at varying distances from Kinigi. For instance, Kwitonda Gorilla Lodge offers treks that start right at their premises.
Golden monkeys
Golden monkeys (Cercopithecus kandti) are a subspecies of the blue monkeys endemic to Virunga Mountains and Albertine rift valley including Gishwati Mukura, Volcanoes, Mgahinga, Virunga, and Kahuzi Beiga national parks. The primates have been habituated for tourist visits in only three protected areas which include Gishwati Mukura, Volcanoes, and Mgahinga gorilla national parks.
The monkeys are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of endangered species given that the population is decreasing with due to poaching, habitat loss and degradation. Volcanoes national park has one of the largest golden monkey population over 4,000 individuals of which two troops each with average size of 30 to 62 individuals have been habituated for tourist visits.
One of the groups called Kabatwa has been subject of research and daily observations which offers an intimate golden monkey trekking experience during the dry season from June to September and December to February. For unique encounters visitors can also visit in March to May and October to November to see the golden monkeys in their mating, breeding and birthing season respectively.
The monkeys primarily feed in the bamboo vegetation zone 60% of the time at altitudes between 2,100 and 3,550 meters above sea level. As such, visitors will find it relatively easy to follow straightforward trails from the trailheads to the bamboo zone. Viewing the primates lasts for 1 hour and the experience is remarkable due to the fascinating habits of the golden monkeys such as playful and curious nature. Golden monkeys are highly playful and agile jumpers, often leaping up to 10 meters (33 feet) between trees.
Dian Fossey Grave Site
Dian Fossey, American primatologist is famous for having established Karisoke Research in 1967 in Volcanoes national park and dedicated her life to studying and protecting mountain gorillas. Following in the footsteps of American zoologist Dr. George Schaller, Fossey identified individual gorillas including a silverback she named Digit, observed their behavior, social structure, diet, and communication and eventually habituated them by mimicking their body language and vocalizations.
After Digit was killed by poachers in 1977, Fossey fought aggressively against poaching established active conservation techniques and founded the Digit Fund (now the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International) to finance her activities. She published a book “Gorillas in the Mist” in 1983 and in 1985 Fossey was mysteriously murdered in her cabin.
She was buried next to her beloved gorillas at the Karisoke site, where visitors can now pay tribute through the Dian Fossey hike. During this hike visitors can visit Dian Fossey grave and also see the ruins of her cabin and the Karisoke center which still exist. Dian Fossey hike may take 3-4 hours as the trails winds through a saddle between Karisimbi and Bisoke volcanoes, visitors will enjoy spectacular views
Mount Bisoke hike
Bisoke volcano famous for harboring a spectacular crater-filled lake at the summit is the 4th highest volcano (3,711 m) in the Virunga Mountains. Being a day hike visitors need to carry only essentials items including packed lunch, 2 liters of drinking water, and snacks. Hiking Bisoke is a 4-7 hour roundtrip depending on the pace of hikers and weather conditions. Attractions to see in the hike by sub-alpine vegetation with rare flora and fauna species including giant senecio, giant Lobelia and the scarlet tufted sunbird can only be seen on this trail.
Karisimbi volcano
Mount Karisimbi standing at 4,507 meters above sea level is the highest mountain in Rwanda and in the Virunga volcanoes. The strato volcano has a symmetrical sharp peak that is often covered my thick snow-like cloud between June and September from which the name Karisimbi is derived from Kinyarwanda dialect Amasimbi, which means ‘white shell mountain’.
Hiking can be challenging due to the nature of terrain and takes a 2-day trek including camping at an altitude of 3,700 meters (12,139 feet). Packing list for two day Karisimbi hike should include camping gears such as sleeping bag and mat; sturdy hiking boots and warm clothing. Temperatures can drop to 5°C – 10°C (41°F – 50°) or below freezing point at the summit weather conditions can also be misty and windy at any time of the year.
A hiking permit from Rwanda Development Board (RDB) includes porters and a cook who prepare meals at the overnight camp; however hikers may carry their own food. The trail to the summit of Karisimbi volcano winds through four vegetation zones including alpine meadows with rare plant species including Mariscus karisimbiensis, Carex karisimbiensis, and giant lobelias.
Among other fauna species that may be spotted include golden monkeys. The final ascent to the summit starts at 4:00 AM as hikers leave the camp reaching the summit early in the morning between 6:00 – 7:00 AM and spend 30 minutes – 1 hour to enjoy spectacular views including Mikeno, Nyamulagira and Nyiragongo in DR Congo’s Virunga national park depending on weather conditions.
The Gorilla Guardians Village
The Gorilla Guardians Village formerly known as Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 with a mission to preserve Rwanda’s rich heritage and improve the livelihoods of ex-poachers and local communities living around Volcanoes national park in Kinigi Nyabigoma cell.
A wide range of projects that were put in place including handicraft making, goat rearing, modern farming, and bee keeping has resulted into income generating activities for many households and individuals. The village stands as a testament to sustainable tourism transformation from poor attitudes towards conservation to peaceful co-existence between people and wildlife and economic development.
A visit to Gorilla Guardians Village offers an opportunity to support community conservation and explore the rich cultural heritage. Visitors can participate in educational and entertaining Rwandan traditional customs such as dressing as king and Queen and Intore dance performances, music, and drumming that echo the soul of the people as the elders and guides often share fascinating stories about the history, traditions, and conservation efforts of the park, creating a memorable experience. Evening is the right time to visit the Gorilla Guardians Village after a gorilla trek or other activities.
Where to stay
Volcanoes national park offers a wide range of accommodation including high end luxury, midrange, budget and community owned lodges. Lodges that offer a high-end luxury accommodation include Bisate lodge, Singita Kwitonda, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Sabinyo Silverback lodge, Virunga Lodge, and Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco Lodge. Locally owned camps near the park include Red Rocks Camping and hostel and Villa Gorilla Musanze.
